“Co coro cóó”, crowed the rooster in Portuguese
According to the Merriam-Webster language dictionary onomatopoeia is the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it. Good examples in English are atchoo for sneezing and sigh for weariness.
Brazilian Portuguese also has many such terms, evidently adapted to the spelling of the language and the traditions of the country.
Here’s a list of some onomatopeias, onomatopoeias. Click on the link below to listen to and repeat them for practice.
| Onomatopoeia in Portuguese | Meaning in Portuguese | English |
| aff | tédio | boredom |
| ah | surpresa | surprise |
| ai | dor | pain |
| atchim | espirro | sneeze |
| au | latido | barking |
| bibi | buzina | honking |
| bua | choro | crying |
| burp | arroto | burp |
| co coro có | canto do galo | a rooster’s crow |
| ding dong | campainha | doorbell |
| hahaha | risada | laughter |
| hã / heim | o que? | what? |
| hmm | reflexão | thinking |
| humm | gostoso | yummy |
| miau | miado de gato | a cat’s meow |
| ratimbum | tambores | a drum roll |
| tchibum | caindo na água | falling into water |
| tique taque | barulho de relógio | sound of a clock |
| shhh | silêncio | quiet |
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